1. 2016 AIRS CONFERENCE Wednesday, May 25th
Building Human Service/Faith Community Collaborations to Meet Crisis Needs and Coordinate the Human Service Response Following a Disaster

2. Our Presenters
Rev. Tim White, Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ; Co-Chair, Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs
Emily Robbearts, Executive Director, United Way of Adams County
Tim Miller, Community Resources Associate, United Way of Adams County; Co-Chair, Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs

3. History and Background
The Great Flood of 1993
500 year record flooding
Impacted west central IL / northeast MO
Unmet Needs Committee
Model for disaster response and recovery
Allowed faith community to take a new role in disaster response and recovery

4. Organizing principles/assumptions
The need was greater than any agency, organization or donor could adequately address
Working together was more efficient, cost effective, and productive than working individually
All members of the committee were expected to provide assistance based on their own guidelines and criteria
Working together would minimize duplication of services
Sharing information ensured accountability

5. Unmet Needs mission extended beyond disaster
Responding to poverty issues an overwhelming problem in Adams County
County population of 67,524
One in five children live below poverty level
Underemployment results in financial instability
Unmet Needs – model to effectively address safety net, crisis and poverty needs
Mayor of Quincy convened a meeting of social service providers, government agencies and the faith community to launch a coalition
United Way asked to take administrative lead

6. United Way’s I & R role in Adams County
UW HelpLine in operation for over 25 years
HelpLine referrals available by phone, face-to-face and online via UWAC website
Offers community service navigation for clients and social service professionals
UWAC an AIRS member with staff certified by AIRS

7. Value of UWAC as backbone support for Unmet Needs
Consistent staff support fosters collaborations across social service sectors
Interagency Council
Adams County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster)
Strong partnerships with the faith community
Opportunity to regularly communicate with key stakeholders
Front line social service providers
Ambassadors within the faith community

8. Value of UWAC as backbone support for Unmet Needs
Serving vulnerable population provides first-hand exposure to critical needs in the area
Strengthens UWAC relationships with partner organizations
UWAC supporting their work, not duplicating efforts
UWAC reputation ensures accountability which builds trust with donors / grant makers

9. The Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs today
18 social service agencies and providers
Identify clients in need
18 faith community partners
Offer financial assistance from benevolence or mission funds
Trust and collaboration exist among members
Administrative support from UWAC
Convene / coordinate meetings
Orient new members / representations
Maintain documents / records
Coordinate donations / disbursements
Social service agencies identify clients through their programs.
Faith community comes alongside of clients and social service agencies to offer support through financial assistance.
Highlight the trust and collaboration that exists among social service and faith community

10. Guidelines and Policies
All available assistance exhausted before a case could be brought to the committee
Clients sign a release of information allowing the committee members to freely share information
Case prepared and presented by a trained case worker
Churches are not obligated to fund any case
Assistance is provided base on documented needs and the assistance has to provide a path to self-sufficiency

11. FY2015 - $30,929 direct assistance impacting over 250 individuals
Impact of Unmet Needs
FY $30,929 direct assistance impacting over 250 individuals
Bus Passes, Car Insurance/Repair, Gas Vouchers, Home Repair, Household Appliances, Medication, Rent/Mortgage, Utilities
Special projects as able

12. Financial sustainability of Unmet Needs
Faith community provides an average of 44% of funding for cases each year
General committee funds available due to grants and other donations
Designated funds earmarked for disasters
Funds donated to Adams County
Unmet Needs has sent funds to other disaster committees
It feels misleading in that we say the faith community only provides 44% of the funding. I realize that number gets skewed because of special projects (back-to-school Fair, air Conditioners, meal packing event, bus passes  and cases outside of committee) However we rarely spend committee funds in committee on cases anymore.  
The true picture is without the faith community our funds would quickly dry up and we would not have a reason to meet. Somehow it feels disingenuous.  Our model is not sustainable without motivated funding partners (which we have found in the faith community). 

13. Unmet Needs a proven best practice
Collaboration with social service agencies and the faith community model has become a best practice for delivery of assistance to those in need
Pike County Unmet Needs (Pittsfield, IL)
Marion County Care Net (Hannibal, MO)
Tri-County Long Term Recovery (Peoria, IL)

14. Questions?
Thank you!